Natasha Joubert on being Miss South Africa 2023

When did you develop a passion for modelling? 

It started when I was very young. I entered a competition at my primary school. I was busy straightening my hair with my sister and my mother got home and she was so cross. I wanted to straighten out my natural curly hair and she made me wash my hair again and let it dry naturally so that I would compete with my natural curls.

I ended up winning the competition! Part of the prize was a voucher to go to a modelling school. It was a three-month voucher and I used it a week before it was about to expire. At primary school, I also entered another competition and Miss South Africa Nicole Flint was there and I remember just really looking up to her. She had this aura. I would say that was the moment I started the dream of entering the Miss South Africa competition one day.

How was your experience as Miss South Africa? 

It’s been such a wonderful journey and I’ve had so many opportunities. I look back to nine months ago and reflect on what my life was like and how it is now completely different. I’ve been to Paris Fashion Week, I met the Bokke, I started my bursary campaign, I’ve done shoots and appearances and I have been given so many opportunities in just nine months. It’s something that forever changed my life. I have learnt so much more about myself as a woman and I think that’s something that I’m going to take with me after my reign ends. I never want to stop doing what I am doing. There have been a lot of challenges but that is what comes with growing.

How has your family been supportive of your life goals? 

They’ve always been my backbone. We are a very tight-knit family. When my father passed away when I was 16, we became even closer. I feel like I’ve been sharing my dreams with my family ever since I was a little girl. They were invested when I first entered Miss South Africa in 2020 and they have been with me since then. They’ve been by my side whenever I needed help or just encouragement. It’s such a crucial thing to have support. During a journey such as this, it can be very tiring and can be very demanding. You need your people around you. I’m very fortunate to have a family that is really invested and wants me to live my dream. I couldn’t have done it without them.

What accomplishments make you feel proud? 

It’s about looking at yourself now and reflecting to see how you have changed as a person. Most important though, is what you have done for other people. The Miss South Africa platform allows the crown holders to really help make a difference and make other people’s lives better. In my case, it’s education. How can I be the connecting person to make that happen?

I know that with a great opportunity also comes great responsibility. It’s been eye opening to realise that I can touch the lives of others. It really boils down to sitting down, reflecting a bit and seeing what you can do differently and what more you can do to contribute. 

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What legacy do you want to leave behind? 

I will forever continue to do what I’m doing now. I don’t need a crown on my head to be doing it. From the very beginning, I wanted to help people who couldn’t afford an education. It’s something I have personal experience with. I also wanted to study and experience college or university life, but my mother couldn’t afford it. I had to partially pay for my own studies, I won a few bursaries and I had to work – all at the same time.

When I was crowned, I really wanted to be a Miss South Africa that makes a difference and I wanted to utilise every single moment of my 12 months. The legacy will always be to push hard and connect with bigger companies and more resources to change people’s lives.

What are your priorities for the next few months? 

I will continue with the education arm of the Natasha Joubert Collective. I will shortly be announcing those who will receive the 10 coding scholarships, thanks to my partnership with ASUS and the coding school HyperionDev. I also have a role to play as the search begins for the woman who will be inheriting my crown in August. 

How do you deal with feeling overwhelmed? 

This is still something I’m trying to master. You have to learn to manage your sleep. When I’m on a flight or in the car, I take a 20-minute catnap. To counter the fatigue, I go for IV drips every month. When I feel burnt out, I ask for a break so that I can get some rest. The Miss South Africa Organisation is very understanding when it comes to that. 

What is the biggest misconception about you? 

There’s a misconception that Miss South Africa is all about the glitz and glamour when in actual fact it’s more fulfilling to go to a school and meet children. To see the excitement in their eyes; you can almost see them acknowledge that there is something out there that they can chase, a bigger dream, a bigger goal. 

Complete this sentence: The South African government needs to… 

…contribute more to education. We need to generate future leaders, and education is where it all starts. So many people just don’t have access to it and don’t have the resources or finance. I really want the government to prioritise spending more and investing more into the South African education system. 

What are your hobbies? 

I am a fashion designer and even though people see it as work, I see it as a hobby. So whenever I feel like I want to play around, I go to my studio. Then there’s family, with whom I spend most of my off time. We get together for braais and I walk my dogs. At the moment there isn’t a lot of time for a hobby because I am constantly on the go, travelling and meeting new people. Whenever I get a gap, I just want to be home as I get homesick quite often. 

What has been the most memorable moment of your time as Miss South Africa? 

Launching the Natasha Joubert Collective. Fifty bursaries have already been awarded, with 10 more to be handed out soon. Something like this is going to impact the recipients for the rest of their lives. Also, meeting the Springboks when they won the World Cup. It was really a surreal moment to meet them when they came home. It made me feel so proudly South African. There have been so many but these two immediately spring to mind! 

What has been the most difficult part of your reign? 

It can be a very lonely journey. Every day looks different, and I meet so many different people, but sometime when I get back home, I might have struggled through a day or being objectified or how people treat you the way that they want. It’s understood that not everyone always has the same values or outlook on life. Also, how to handle relationships. You get to work with, and meet, so many incredible people, but there are also those that you don’t get along with. It’s not easy keeping everyone happy and at the same time keeping yourself happy. 

How have you contributed to addressing pressing issues?

 I always try and speak up on every single-issue South Africa is facing, whether period poverty or education or gender-based violence. Whenever I’m asked about a matter, I voice my opinions. But there is so much more that can be done and so many preventative methods that could be put in place. Ultimately though, I it is a government issue, and as Miss South Africa I can really only do so much. I’m doing the best in my position that I can when it comes to raising awareness. 

How do you prioritise your mental health?

I still see my psychologist that I’ve built a relationship with since 2021. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or out of sync with my emotions, I make an appointment. I feel that psychology sessions are very underrated. It’s assisted me through depression and is helping me now in a high stress environment. 

What would you say to a Miss SA hopeful?

 Remind yourself of your why every single day. And always remind the Miss South Africa Organisation of your why as this is a team effort and is something that you cannot do alone. So always reach out. Be gracious and kind to yourself.

It’s fine to be inspired by people and everyone has a role model, but don’t compare yourself to anyone as it only leads to stress and can make you feel worse about yourself. I’m happy if I can be someone who helps others feel seen and heard or makes them feel that what they are going through is relatable. That’s the way I would love to inspire someone.

You recently got engaged. Tell us about that? 

I am super excited to be marrying Enrico. The whole nine years has been a highlight! 

What’s the greatest challenge you have had to overcome? 

Going through depression and getting my mental health back in order was definitely a big challenge. I was fearful of not getting the outcome that I wanted. So many times, we place the  audit of our identity in winning. And if you don’t win, you don’t feel like you’re worthy. And I think that was how Miss Universe made me feel in 2021 when in actual fact that doesn’t define you.

So, I did go in fearing not winning again and might going through depression again. I’ve worked so long and hard on myself.

What’s one thing you would still like to achieve in your life? 

I’ve always been a planner, but now I’m just going to wait and see what doors open for me and take it as it comes. 

Please share five facts about you we may not know… 

1. Growing up I was a tomboy until about grade 7.
2. I did singing lessons up to the age of 18.
3. I am a business owner and fashion designer. I started my company (Natalia Jefferys) when I was 19.
4. I was on South Africa’s Got Talent when I was 11 years old.
5. I was the only girl in my karate class.